Non-metallic auxiliary tank system for a vehicle

Abstract

An on-board auxiliary split tank system for supplying makeup water and chemical additives to a transit concrete mixing vehicle is disclosed which includes a generally cylindrical water tank designed for generally horizontal deployment having a shaped recess therein and an additive tank configured to nest in said recess of said water tank and which, when nested in said recess, generally completes said cylindrical shape. The water tank and additive tank are formed from a non-metallic material comprising a polymeric component.

1. An on-board auxiliary split tank system for supplying makeup water and chemical additives to a transit concrete mixing vehicle comprising:
 (a) a generally cylindrical main water tank designed for generally horizontal deployment defining a water compartment and having a shaped external recess therein; 
 (b) an additive tank configured to nest in said recess of said main water tank and defining an additive chamber and which, when nested in said recess, generally completes said cylindrical shape; 
 (c) wherein said water tank and said additive tank are formed from a non-metallic material comprising a polymeric component; 
 (d) wherein said water tank and said additive tank include integral external liquid level indicators; 
 (e) a mounting system for attaching said split tank system to a transit concrete mixing vehicle chassis; and 
 (f) wherein said tanks are retained together by high strength polymeric straps, and wherein said mounting system includes said straps. 
 
   
   
     2. A tank system as in  claim 1  wherein said water tank and said additive tank are top discharge, bottom draw tanks and include bottom draw wells with draw tubes and drain outlets. 
   
   
     3. A tank system as in  claim 1  wherein said liquid level indicators are tube-type indicators. 
   
   
     4. A tank system as in  claim 3  wherein said additive tank liquid level indicator includes calibrations indicating volumetric content thereof for volume measurement. 
   
   
     5. A tank system as in  claim 3  wherein said liquid level indicators for both said main tank and said additive tank include calibrations indicating volumetric content for volume measurement. 
   
   
     6. A tank system as in  claim 1  wherein said polymer component comprises a high density polyethylene. 
   
   
     7. A tank system as in  claim 5  wherein said polymer component comprises high density polyethylene. 
   
   
     8. A tank system as in  claim 1  wherein said main water tank includes a pair of spaced fill openings. 
   
   
     9. A tank system as in  claim 1  wherein said main water tank includes a bottom drain outlet. 
   
   
     10. A tank system as in  claim 1  wherein said polymeric straps include nylon. 
   
   
     11. A tank system as in  claim 1  mounted on a transit concrete mixer vehicle. 
   
   
     12. A tank system as in  claim 1  wherein said tank system is designed to be attached to the outside of a vehicle chassis member. 
   
   
     13. A tank system as in  claim 1  wherein said tanks are provided with molded gripping teeth in an area under said straps. 
   
   
     14. An on-board auxiliary split tank system for supplying makeup water and chemical additives to a transit concrete mixing vehicle comprising:
 (a) a generally cylindrical main water tank designed for generally horizontal deployment defining a water compartment and having a shaped external recess therein; 
 (b) an additive tank configured to nest in said recess of said main water tank and defining an additive chamber and which, when nested in said recess, generally completes said cylindrical shape; 
 (c) wherein said water tank and said additive tank are formed from a non-metallic material comprising a polymeric component; 
 (d) wherein said water tank and said additive tank include integral external liquid level indicators; 
 (e) a mounting system for attaching said split tank system to a transit concrete mixing vehicle chassis; and 
 (f) a plurality of strengthening ribs along said main water tank. 
 
   
   
     15. An on-board auxiliary split tank system for supplying makeup water and chemical additives to a transit concrete mixing vehicle comprising:
 (a) a generally cylindrical main water tank designed for generally horizontal deployment defining a water compartment and having a shaped external recess therein; 
 (b) an additive tank configured to nest in said recess of said main water tank and defining an additive chamber and which, when nested in said recess, generally completes said cylindrical shape; 
 (c) wherein said water tank and said additive tank are formed from a non-metallic material comprising a polymeric component; 
 (d) wherein said water tank and said additive tank include integral external liquid level indicators; 
 (e) a mounting system for attaching said split tank system to a transit concrete mixing vehicle chassis; and 
 (f) wherein said mounting system further comprises a pair of spaced mounting saddles for carrying said split tank system disposed in a generally horizontal posture and strap devices for removably attaching said split tank system to said saddles and retaining said additive tank in said recess. 
 
   
   
     16. A tank system as in  claim 15  wherein said straps are of a polymeric material.